Touchstone

July 2025

Welcome to the July issue of Touchstone.

On Pentecost Sunday I joined the congregation at the Tongan Methodist Church in Ōtautahi, where the parish was hosting a large contingent of government and diplomatic representatives from Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and Aotearoa. The guests were in Christchurch for a week of negotiations at Burnham Camp, facilitated by Sir Jerry Mateparae, a longtime friend and former army colleague of Kosipeli Presbyter Rev Tavake Manu.

The oyful interior environment and warm welcome extended to the guests by Rev Tavake and other parishioners was in sharp contrast to the bleak and chilly winter morning. The service and celebrations that followed were jubilant and heartwarming. In his article, Vice President Rev Peter Norman refers to recent gatherings he has participated in where “each occasion, rich with prayer, song, kai and korero, stirred something deep within me.” Those words capture the essence of the Pentecost Sunday celebration at Kosipeli. Beyond the jubilant singing, prayer and hospitality, there was a deep sense of connection between the people gathered. When Rev Tavake said, “The Holy Spirit brings power to the life of the church,” that presence was evident in every aspect of the faith-filled event. It was a fitting foundation for the high-level negotiations ahead.

The election of a new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, has attracted immense public attention, well beyond the Catholic Church worldwide. In this edition, Cardinal John Dew writes about the profound experience of being a member of the conclave that elected the Pope, a rare, memorable and remarkable experience.  Rev David Poultney shares insight on the papacy, and his hopes for how the new appointee will build on the legacy of his immediate predecessor, Pope Francis.

Rev Andrew Doubleday reports on the outcomes of the UCANZ Biennial forum held over King’s Birthday weekend in Tāmaki Makaurau. Discussions revolved around the theme Our Future Together, and decisions included a thorough review of UCANZ to be undertaken over the coming two years by a commission of leaders representing Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian partner churches.

Along with book and film reviews, we share reports on the diverse mahi and mission of people and parishes throughout the wider Connexion. I hope you will find content that informs and inspires you. On that note, I draw your attention to an article on the Guild Street community housing complex that ran recently in The Press Click Here. A joint initiative between the Christchurch City Mission and Anglican Care, the housing community is an outstanding example of how taking a collaborative approach to solving a community problem, can produce an awesome outcome.

 As always, I welcome your feedback.